The POP Record is broken down into units and each unit is divided into two sections;

Underpinning Knowledge — the knowledge that you need and use to perform competently; and
Performance Evidence — the demonstration through work that you have the required competence.

If you have graduated from a CIAT Accredited degree you will be exempt from completing the Underpinning Knowledge requirements (except for units 15–17). If you have graduated from a CIAT Approved/Recognised programme you may be exempt from completing certain Underpinning Knowledge requirements. Please contact the Membership Department (membership@ciat.org.uk).

Evidence for your POP Record can come from any project or work completed by you. The evidence can be backdated, however you must ensure that you are able to provide the evidence when asked to submit it at the assessment stage. Student members can begin completing the POP Record whilst studying, using evidence from work completed during the programme, the year out placement or in employment.

If you need to find a Supervisor then you can contact someone in the Directory of Registered POP Referees.

When gathering evidence, you should initially decide which job functions match different performance standards and identify potential existing evidence to demonstrate competence against those standards. Once any gaps have been identified, you should consider what other evidence could be gathered from normal work activities and which activities could provide additional evidence. This could be done with or without the support of the Supervisor and additionally be used to formulate your development plan. You should also be aware that evidence can be gathered and used from more than one project. Also, a particular piece of evidence may, where appropriate, be used for more than one CIAT unit. Candidates are encouraged to use evidence to satisfy multiple performance standards, especially if this rationalises their evidence and allows maximum demonstration of their skills.

There is no specific time plan for the completion of the POP Record as it largely relates to the individual's circumstances and abilities to meet the performance standards. We would, however, expect it to take two to three years from leaving college/university to build up the required range of competence.

We are able to accept more than one Supervisor for a POP Record. If your Supervisor changes, then ensure that your previous Supervisor has completed the appropriate sections of the POP Record Knowledge and Performance Portfolio. Then arrange for your new Supervisor to complete the additional Supervisor section, in the Knowledge and Performance Portfolio, and then continue forward with him/her approving each performance standard achieved.

It is recognised that some people may not have access to an appropriate Supervisor. If this is the case, then CIAT will provide you with a list of approved Supervisors who will be able to help assess your evidence. For further information, please contact Central Office.

Candidates progressing from Architectural Technician membership are encouraged to use the same knowledge and performance evidence, and use this to demonstrate how their competence levels have increased to meet the requirements of a Chartered Architectural Technologist.

An example of this is the Chartered Architectural Technologist unit 8 and the Architectural Technician unit 5, where Architectural Technicians are asked to provide knowledge evidence for preparing and presenting design proposals. Chartered Architectural Technologists are required to provide knowledge evidence for justifying and advising upon the selection of project designs in addition to presenting. Thus, a candidate with the Higher National Unit Design Technology A and has already demonstrated the knowledge to Architectural Technician will be required to provide evidence to fill the gap rather than the whole unit.

This increase in the knowledge level requirement could be demonstrated by evidence from typical sources for knowledge evidence. It is possible for this evidence to also come from the original Higher National Unit. A comparison of the units within each POP Record indicating where units overlap and the gaps between is contained with the knowledge map section.

It is recognised that candidates may change employment and this should not hamper your POP Record. You should however ensure that your previous employer is happy either for you to retain copies of any evidence referred to in your POP Record. Ensure that these will not be destroyed and you will be able to access them at a later date should it be required by CIAT, as part of the quality assurance process.

4.1 Select and agree procurement procedures with clients
4.2 Recommend and agree forms of contract
4.3 Select and form a design team
4.4 Confirm and agree design team responsibilities and processes
4.5 Establish and monitor design team working methods
4.6 Establish project team partnering

6.1 Assess regulatory requirements and constraints
6.2 Assess and advise upon options for potential developments
6.3 Assess and advise on legal requirements and constraints
6.4 Confirm statutory control and consent requirements and their implications

13.1 Control contracts against agreed quality standards
13.2 Control contract compliance with legal and statutory requirements
13.3 Control contract progress against agreed programmes
13.4 Control costs against agreed budgets

Unit 14 Project completion

14.1 Manage project handover and completion
14.2 Obtain and evaluate feedback information and promote improvements
14.3 Specify information and guidance to support and use and maintenance planning of property, systems and services

Unit 15 Management of meetings

15.1 Manage meetings
15.2 Make analytical contributions to meetings

Unit 16 Professional relationships

16.1 Develop and maintain relationships with people who are affected by your work
16.2 Present technical information and provide advice on technical problems
16.3 Identify, summarise and analyse complex, indeterminate problems
16.4 Contribute to the protection of individual and community interests

Unit 17 Continuing professional development

17.1 Identify, record and analyse personal development aims and progress
17.2 Allocate and monitor the progress and quality of work in your area of responsibility
17.3 Contribute to advances in occupational knowledge and practice

Appeals procedure for POP Panel
Candidates' can appeal once against a POP Panel’s decision. Please download and complete the form below for further information or contact membership@ciat.org.uk